Re-doing the crabitat

Kermie16 · Post by **Kermie16** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 2:54 pm

Ok so just then just don't do anything to the sub unless emergency? I'm curious because mine take turns burying so there is always at least 1 down. Do I need to ever aerate the sub like mentioned above or is it not necessary? Just want to clarify. Thank u!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 3:20 pm

Kermie16 wrote:Ok so just then just don't do anything to the sub unless emergency? I'm curious because mine take turns burying so there is always at least 1 down. Do I need to ever aerate the sub like mentioned above or is it not necessary? Just want to clarify. Thank u!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It is not necessary to aerate the sub. You can loosely & carefully add 1/2" of sub every day on top of existing sub, but not over holes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Kermie16 · Post by **Kermie16** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:14 pm

Ah! Ok:) Thank u!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:11 pm

GotButterflies wrote:
Kermie16 wrote:Ok so just then just don't do anything to the sub unless emergency? I'm curious because mine take turns burying so there is always at least 1 down. Do I need to ever aerate the sub like mentioned above or is it not necessary? Just want to clarify. Thank u!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is not necessary to aerate the sub. You can loosely & carefully add 1/2" of sub every day on top of existing sub, but not over holes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Actually, it has been recommended here for years to do so at least once every six months to a year as long as crabs are topside, to allow oxygen to reach all the sub and prevent bacterial blooms.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:12 pm

Just Jay wrote:Other members recommend that, same as if yu had to add sub while a crab was under. You do it loosely and make sure it is moist. Obviously you shouldn't ever disturb a crab underground but if you have to this is what worked for me and my four crabs.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Other members here?

It has been expressly advised against on this form for some time.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

Just Jay · Post by **Just Jay** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:23 pm

Yep.i posted about having to crabs under in the wrong sub and when i needed more inches

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

YouTube · Post by **GotButterflies** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:26 pm

soilentgringa wrote:
GotButterflies wrote:
Kermie16 wrote:Ok so just then just don't do anything to the sub unless emergency? I'm curious because mine take turns burying so there is always at least 1 down. Do I need to ever aerate the sub like mentioned above or is it not necessary? Just want to clarify. Thank u!!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
It is not necessary to aerate the sub. You can loosely & carefully add 1/2" of sub every day on top of existing sub, but not over holes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Actually, it has been recommended here for years to do so at least once every six months to a year as long as crabs are topside, to allow oxygen to reach all the sub and prevent bacterial blooms.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

Okay, I apologize for misinforming, I had never heard that before! My bad! Ty for telling me that! I've never had a bloom, or issues with sub. Guess my crabs aerated it enough in the past.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:32 pm

Just Jay wrote:Yep.i posted about having to crabs under in the wrong sub and when i needed more inches

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

There is a difference in adding substrate gently on top of an established and compacted molting cave or tunnel, and burying a crab that has been exposed. Since they have not formed a cave and the loose substrate is in their hole covering them, they can suffocate or their shells can become impacted while they are trying to molt.

Experienced crabbers have recommended ISO'ing crabs exposed while molting, or covering their hole with a coconut hide or large flat plastic lid, etc.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

soilentgringa · Post by **soilentgringa** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:33 pm

GotButterflies wrote:
soilentgringa wrote:
GotButterflies wrote: It is not necessary to aerate the sub. You can loosely & carefully add 1/2" of sub every day on top of existing sub, but not over holes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Actually, it has been recommended here for years to do so at least once every six months to a year as long as crabs are topside, to allow oxygen to reach all the sub and prevent bacterial blooms.

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk
Okay, I apologize for misinforming, I had never heard that before! My bad! Ty for telling me that! I've never had a bloom, or issues with sub. Guess my crabs aerated it enough in the past.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have done it maybe twice in almost three years of the current group of crabs; there are so many under at one time I am always afraid of digging someone up!

Sent from my LGLS665 using Tapatalk

Kermie16 · Post by **Kermie16** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:53 pm

Ok! So if not necessary then I am not going to do it as I usually have at least 1 crab down molting almost all the time - they like to rotate- if at any time I see all of mine up at the same time then I will aerate it. I am also too afraid to disturb any tunnels and molters. Thanks everyone!! Appreciate u all clarifying it for me:)

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

kieagcarm · Post by **kieagcarm** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 6:34 pm

What exactly is aerating

Sent from my C5215 using Tapatalk

Kermie16 · Post by **Kermie16** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:38 pm

kieagcarm wrote:What exactly is aerating

Sent from my C5215 using Tapatalk

I'm assuming it is like aerating the lawn or garden. It is basically allowing air, water and nutrients to penetrate deeper into the soil (or this case sub) and to keep it from compacting down too much. Please correct me if I am wrong. I aerate my organic garden for that reason and it helps to feed the roots of the plants in my garden for improved growth:)

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

kieagcarm · Post by **kieagcarm** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 9:00 pm

I mean how do you do it

Sent from my C5215 using Tapatalk

Rawrgeous · Post by **Rawrgeous** » Mon Nov 07, 2016 5:12 am

Just Jay wrote:Yep.i posted about having to crabs under in the wrong sub and when i needed more inches

You are referring to when your crabs where buried in calcium sand yes? I think I remember this. Its a bit different situation as the calcium sand was a significant risk to the underground crabs. Churning the sub is just a nice practice to keep the sub oxygenated, but not doing it isn't a significant issue. Otherwise, unless emergency has ocurred we don't recommend disturbing buried crabs. I believe this answers how to aerate sub as well.

Sent from my VS880PP using Tapatalk

HCA: Hermit Crab Association

Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat

Re: Re-doing the crabitat